STAY SAFE AND HOPE FOR THE BEST

In my surfing around the net, I have come across a couple of opinion pieces in the Los Angeles Times. On 27^th and 29^th of November 2020 respectively. I happen to agree with the sentiments expressed in these articles, which is why I share them, and I am gratified that the Los Angeles Times has seen fit to publish them, given the current climate in the United States and considering the papers history as a supporter of a very conservative and Republican point of view. It certainly was so in the 1950’s and early 1960’s when I was in Los Angeles. It did begin to change under the leadership of then Publisher Otis Chandler who took over in 1960.

The paper is now owned by Patrick Soon-Shiong, a South African born billionaire, of Chinese immigrant parents, who apparently fled China during the Japanese occupation in World War II. He trained as a surgeon at UCLA Medical.

Norman Pearlstine

Patrick Soon-Shiong

 

 

The last Editor of the paper, appointed by Mr Soon-Shiong, was Norman Pearlstine, who stepped down in October of this year. 

 

Roy Hattersley

Mr Pearlstine has had a chequered career, both professionally and personally, having been married four times, earned a Law Degree from University of Pennsylvania and held numerous positions in journalism. His sister Maggie is now married to non-other than our own Roy Hattersley,  The Right Honourable The Lord Hattersley, former deputy leader of the Labour Party under Neil Kinnock, and now also brother in law to Mr Pearlstine.

 

The links to the two articles are as follows:
https://www.latimes.com/opinion/story/2020-11-29/trump-election-violence-biden-administration  By Colin P. Clarke, who is a senior research fellow at the Soufan Centre, where his research focuses on terrorism, insurgency and political violence; and

https://www.latimes.com/opinion/story/2020-11-27/defeating-trumpism-autocrat-political-movement By Ian Bassin and Justin Florence who are co-founders of the non-partisan non-profit Protect Democracy. They previously served as associate White House counsels to President Obama.

So clearly the opinions are not without some bias, but nonetheless express a view that cannot be ignored.

It is also clear that some damage has already been done, and it may be difficult to retrieve equilibrium.

I noted the news that Police Officers in Paris have been suspended after being filmed beating and racially abusing a black music producer. It would seem the actions of law enforcement officers in countries around the world are getting completely out of control. Were it not for the video cameras on mobile phones, placed on streets, undergrounds, subways, in offices and shops these abuses of the public trust would go unnoticed. Indeed, that may have been the case for years. Although the cameras on the street may have been installed for quite another purpose. I refer you to a previous blog entry on 13^th November “Do as you’re told”, which deals with a more minor incident, but is symptomatic of the incidents in the United States that have sparked many citizens around the world to publicly demonstrate their disapproval. For too long law enforcement officers have confused themselves with being the authority, rather than servants of the public, to keep the peace rather than break the peace. Despite the videos it keeps on happening, and it seems the response, although outraged at first, results in the incident being overlooked. Witness the Rodney King case, and there are a number of others. It starts at the top with the political atmosphere that seeks mastery and power rather than service and furtherance of freedoms. We live in very difficult times, particularly under the pall of a pandemic, seemingly requiring restraints. William Pitt the Younger expressed it quite well: “Necessity is the plea for every infringement of human freedom. It is the argument of tyrants; it is the creed of slaves.” We would do well to heed that advice. In the meantime, just hope for the best. Stay Safe.